California Highway 1

[Bruce H]

I'm sure this question has been asked before, but is California Highway 1 from Oxnard to San Fransisco safe for a 36' MH? I have heard it is a very scenic route. Any info will be appreciated.

[Fred and Bonnie]

Bruce, personally I would not drive it in our MH. I suggest getting a copy of the Mountain Directroy, Western Addition. The quick read is no long grades, but many sharp curves and switchbacks. Postings in the past indicate many RVers have driven this road with their units. I guess it depends on you and the DW's condidence level.

Fred

Fred

[PizzaGuy]

There are both good and bad spots on CA1. It is also called the Pacific Coast Highway and it is an absoulty beautiful drive. There are times when you leave the 1 and go on the 101. Santa Barbara to Lompoc would be an example. From Guadalupe to Arroyo Grande is a bit shakey. And from there to Pismo Beach is like driving through towns with a lot of traffic. You can pick up to 1 again at San Luis Obispo. From there to Morro Bay is good. Great campgouund at Morro Bay. From Morro to San Simeon (Hearst Castle) is good too. That is is far as I have gone on the 1.

Campgrounds on the way.
Flying Flags at Buellton.
Pismo Coast Village, hard to get in
Morro Dunes.

Safe trip

[EngineerMike]

Very scenic, but twisty and maybe a bit narrow in spots (nothing like Hwy1 in Baja for narrow tho, and we do Baja each year). If the driver can keep his/her eye on the road, leaving the sight seeing to the scenic vista pull-offs, and you are not in a hurry, its a fabulous drive. Weather this time of year should be excellent.

[Bruce H]

Thank you for all of your input. I am thinking of taking the trip in October.

[skigramp]

We drove CA 1 from Las Cruces to Monterey ... (northbound) ... in a 35 class A with a toad in 2003.

Going north lets you enjoy the beauty without having the co-pilot hanging over the edge of the guard-rail

There are pullouts so the driver can enjoy the scenery too.

There is a nice state park near the Hearst Castle. Camp grounds are very scarce between the Hearst Castle and Monterey.

[Bruce H]

Thank you Skicamp. I wonder if there would be a lot of fog in October?

[Tom and Patty]

IIRC about 15-20 miles north of San Simeon the road gets very windy with some very sharp corners. We drove this in a car a couple of years ago and decided we would one day drive it in the MH and stay at this state park...Kirk Creek.

Kirk Creek Campground: Big Sur

Kirk Creek Campground

The views from this park are wonderful.

[Ronnie Bledsoe 2006 Dutchstar 43']

Fog is not usually a problem in October. 1 gets narrow with many curves before and South of Big Sur. Not nearly as bad as 1 from Mendocino to Legget.

Ronnie

[ka6bud]

Bruce I agree with all posts. I will add one point,heading north ocean wiil on your left or driver side,also many of the pull out areas will also be on left resulting driver to cross over to left lane. right is tight bank drive safe and enjoy

Joe Ka6bud

[Jim Gehlen]

Having lived in Morro Bay/San Luis Obispo for 47 years, we traveled Highway 1 many times and going north in a motorhome, you are on the inside so the fear of falling off the road is minimal. Although there are some hairpin curves you will be fine if you take it slow and plan ahead.

Morro Dunes and the Morro Bay State Park are excellent places to stay. After San Simeon, the road becomes mostly two lane with turnouts. There are some real nice improved campgrounds alone the way. Limekiln comes to mind as a nice spot. There are quite a few others with no hookups but quiet.

Plan on stopping in Big Sur area. Spectacular views of the Pacific and the coastline.

[Bruce H]

Thanks to all of you for your valuable input. You are GREAT!!! I have always wanted to make the CA1 drive and just never had the time to do it so I could enjoy it. Not a problem now. We will be making the trip in October. Thanks again for your input.
Bruce and Marie

[MonacoMama]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Gehlen .... There are some real nice improved campgrounds alone the way. Limekiln comes to mind as a nice spot. There are quite a few others with no hookups but quiet. Plan on stopping in Big Sur area. Spectacular views of the Pacific and the coastline.

I want to point out to many folks here that the California State Parks have very limited campsite sizes as shown at this link... I also found this link on the San Luis Coast. The state of CA has a website on their parks that will let you search by region too.

I hope this information saves a few who have big rigs that travel without making reservations from getting into an area that they cannot squeeze into!

[DANEL-KSC]

Many good words and comments in previous Posts. Drive careful, watch the windy areas previously noted and about the only area you might hit fog will the area near Vandenburg AFB (Lompoc). You will never forget nor stop talking about the scenic views along the entire drive up PAC1!